I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through Booksprout. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review.
I think this novel tells a dark and gripping story about a long-standing war between vampires and werewolves, with each side determined to wipe the other out. I think the alliances add an interesting layer, with witches siding with the werewolves and the Chenja aligning with the vampires, even though their small population keeps them mostly out of the conflict. I think Ace, the vampire monitoring werewolf activity, is a strong focal point, especially as it becomes clear the werewolves are planning a dangerous ritual that could change everything. I found myself wondering whether anyone could figure it out in time to stop it.
I think the London setting helps give the story a distinct atmosphere, and I wasn’t entirely sure what time period it was set in, which added a bit of mystery. I think the tone is noticeably darker, which fits well with the focus on supernatural war. I noticed it includes violence, implied torture, sacrifice, and some instances of abuse, all of which contribute to the heavier feel.
I think the pacing is solidly in the middle—not too fast or too slow—and I really felt that the secondary characters were one of the strongest parts of the book. I think they’re written with enough depth that they sometimes stand out even more than the main storyline.
I think one of the more emotional aspects was that a character didn’t get the happy ending I felt they deserved, which left me with a bittersweet feeling. I also think the epilogue was a bit underwhelming, since I was hoping for more closure than it provided.
Overall, I think this is a compelling and engaging read. I think it’s definitely worth picking up if you enjoy vampire, werewolf, or shifter stories. I found it hard to put down, and I’m interested in seeing where the series goes next.
Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
I’m giving this book an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
The story is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
The writing style is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
The spicy level is getting a rating of 2 out of 5 stars.
The spicy rating would be a 2 or 3 according to romance.io stem rating guide.